Paris, j'adore!

One thing that I love about living in Europe/Switzerland is the fact that visiting Paris for the weekend is totally feasible. A 3 1/2 hour train ride will take you right from Lausanne Gare to Gare de Lyon and BAM!!--you're eating fresh baked baguettes, making out in the streets, and seeing such splendid sights! We got to spend four days in Paris and aside from Chad almost getting arrested in the subway and almost beating up twelve year-old delinquents, I'd say it was a nice way to spend the weekend. [Above photograph taken by Chad Riley].

Paris; take two.

Seestas in Tulieries.

Gazing.

Capturing.

Savoring.

Clouds

"Clouds"

All afternoon, Sir,
your ambassadors have been turning
into lakes and rivers.
At first they were just clouds, like any other.
Then they swelled and swirled; then they hung very still;
then they broke open. This is, I suppose,
just one of the common miracles,
a transformation, not a vision,
not an answer, not a proof, but I put it
there, close against my heart, where the need is, and it serves


the purpose. I go on, soaked through, my hair
slicked back;
like corn, or wheat, shining and useful.

Mary Oliver, Why I Wake Early

Conversations with Sarah

I've mentioned before the adoration I have for my sweet, real-live Texan friend, Sarah. But it's difficult to explain just how refreshing it is to come home from a four hour lunch/coffee date with her. Whether it's talking about our apartment search breakdowns (or nightmarish apartment searches that involve women in négligés and Trolls covering the living room walls from floor to ceiling), or enjoying moments where we both realize that we are living a dream ("No I can't get coffee next week, I'll be in Paris for the weekend," or "I can't do the following week cause I'll be in Venice"), or counseling/listening to one another as we learn to live life a totally different way--it's just such a blessing to have met her (thanks D!) and to now call her 'friend.' We have this plan of starting a little tapas/wine/dinner club where we all meet up with other American women our age, once a month at a different home, and just share about life. We're really excited about this and I hope it comes to fruition--once we get back from our vacations, of course. Now the only thing that would make this perfect is if a certain Danielle Coe could join this dinner club. Now that would be priceless. In the meantime, I think I can be happy with just one friend who greets you with a "How are ya'll doing?" and doesn't judge you for craving Starbies once in awhile.

People and Printemps

It's been a busy past few weeks with visitors popping in and out of our little home. And as I much as I miss peeing with the bathroom door open, I've been willing to sacrifice that bit for the amazing company we've been able to have. Nathan's parents just left us on Monday, as well as Brooke and Allie who came for the weekend. Just yesterday Kevin's petite copine (who will be his bride next weekend!) came to stay with us and will be here until they leave for Key West, and Christy and Chad will join us on Tuesday as we all train back together from Paris. I really am loving the energy and joy that seems to be brought into our home with each new guest...it's like it's becoming a new house all together! Here are some photos to enjoy from our latest visitors...

Brooke enjoying fondue at the best fondue place in Lausanne, Cafe de L'Eveche:


Group shot in Bern. Gorgeous city with amazing statues, clocks, and views!


Brooke and the Bern Bear (Bern means bear in German...and we saw real bears on the hills of Bern).


Under my umbrella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh...


Papa C in Bern. What a handsome father-in-love I have!



Pretty nests and golden eggs in Bern.


Allie and Brooke in Vevey--famous fork included


Mountains in Vevey (and I guess anywhere else on the Lake)


Cathedral in Lausanne at night. Apparently, every night a watchman still climbs to the top of this tower and yells "All is well!" between midnight and three am. Allie was sad not to meet this man--one day Allie, one day.


Chateau de Chillon.



Brooke, Marie and Allie in Geneva on a sunny day.


B and Marie.


The famous Jet d'eau (which blends in with the sky), and of course the famous Brooke and Allie.


Geneve. Allie. Beauty.


The view from our balcony/guest room:

Le Biz Fatal et d'autres choses

So the month of March has brought us many things: family, more frequent days of sunshine, raclette parties, and so on. But one thing my Swiss friends failed to inform me was of the chilly and gusty (I'm talking hold on to the railing to keep your balance while crossing a bridge) winds called "Le Biz" meaning "The kiss." My friend Sarah gave these harsh winds a more accurate name, "Le Biz Fatal" or "the deadly kiss." Although these winds made an untimely appearance, just as Bill and Dotty came to see us, we made the best of it! Here are some photos from this week. It was amazing having family here--experiencing life in Switzerland with us! One of my favorite moments was when Bill, Dotty, and I were sitting in the Nespresso cafe and Bill looks around, leans back and exhales, and says, "You know, I could live here." Yessssssss, I thought to myself, the plan is working.

Picture Perfect Mocha Latte in Nespresso.



B & C in front of Tristan's Chocolaterie. Tristan makes chocolate for the Spanish Royalty...and after sampling many, we knew why this chocolate was reserved for royalty.


Enjoying fondue in Gruyeres.



Getting ready for our Raclette dinner party.



Dinner!



Matthias (the German hugger) and Bill.



Sarah and Matthias proudly pointing out their places of origin.



Dotty and Marie


The top of the hill near Chailly.


Vevey.


Park near Ouchy.


Dock beside Chateau du Chillon.



Many, many more pictures, but not enough patience to wait for the uploading! All in all, le Biz may have tried to stop us from having a blast, but they didn't succeed. The great thing is, Bill and Dotty are back (WITH BROOKE AND ALLIE!) next week and the weather forecast says 61 and sunny :)

A Weekend of Friends!

A Saturday morning in Lutry--a neighboring town with a great waterfront.



Meet Marie. Our neighbor, and now, dear friend from France:



Marie and her boyfriend, Daniel (typical behavior):


Dusk in the vineyards near Mont-Sur-Rolle. On our way to Mathias' flat.


Our friend, Mathias (he's a real live German). He likes to hug...a lot. In fact, here he is standing in his very own "hug corner" with umbrella in hand. I have to admit, he gives very nice hugs (don't ask why he has an electric screw driver in hand).


Our friend Kevin (and Nathan). He's getting married in about a month in Key West. He likes to strategize and debrief.